Patents Assigned to Frank's International, Inc.
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Publication number: 20120061076Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a stop collar for tubulars, wherein the collar includes an annular stop collar member formed from at least one collar segment, and a weld joint attaching each of the at least one collar segments together, each of the weld joint(s) having a head and stem, wherein in certain embodiments the head has a width that is generally greater than the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Troy L. McDaniel, Christopher W. Welborn, Jean Buytaert
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Patent number: 8096357Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a top drive supported tool for making up and running casing strings into a borehole. The tool comprises a fill-up and circulation assembly and a launcher assembly that is adapted to cooperate with a connectable cement wiper plug assembly for launching wiper plugs that control cement placement in the annulus between a casing string and a borehole containing the casing string. The tool of the present invention shortens or eliminates delays in well operations, thereby improving integrity of cement liners formed by placing cement slurry in a targeted interval.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Burney J. Latiolais, Jr., Keith Thomas Lutgring, Samuel P. Hawkins, III
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Patent number: 8082982Abstract: A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E Mosing, Samuel P Hawkins, III, David L. Sipos, Keith T Lutgring, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr.
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Patent number: 8028748Abstract: A control apparatus to receive a tubular member includes a contact member configured to engage the tubular member, and a control mechanism operably coupled to the contact member, wherein the control mechanism is configured to dampen movement of at least one of the tubular member and the contact member as the tubular member engages the contact member.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Burney J. Laitolais, Jr., David Stokes, Dougal Hugo Brown, Jean P. Buytaert
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Publication number: 20110198090Abstract: An apparatus to alter the flow of a fluid (e.g., drilling fluid, mud, cement, etc.) in a wellbore for example by creating turbulence in the flowing fluid. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a plurality of blade members extending outward from an elongated member. The elongated member is attached to the exterior surface of a tubular that is then positioned in a wellbore. The apparatus passively altering the flow of a fluid in the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean P. BUYTAERT, Troy MCDANIEL
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Publication number: 20110186289Abstract: A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Donald Elwin McDowell
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Publication number: 20110174542Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Edward Sinclair, Guy Hustinx, Patrick Neil Sibille
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Publication number: 20110146971Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (34), moving collars (20) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (20) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads (12) integrally formed on extensions (26) protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber (24) on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Jimmy Mack Young
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Publication number: 20110139435Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a top drive supported tool for making up and running casing strings into a borehole. The tool comprises a fill-up and circulation assembly and a launcher assembly that is adapted to cooperate with a connectable cement wiper plug assembly for launching wiper plugs that control cement placement in the annulus between a casing string and a borehole containing the casing string. The tool of the present invention shortens or eliminates delays in well operations, thereby improving integrity of cement liners formed by placing cement slurry in a targeted interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Burney J. Latiolais, JR., Keith Thomas Lutgring, Samuel P. Hawkins, III
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Publication number: 20110114306Abstract: A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Donald E. Mosing, Samuel P. Hawkins, III, David L. Sipos, Keith T. Lutgring, Burney J. Latiolais, JR.
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Publication number: 20110042102Abstract: First and second centralizer portions, comprising a first end collar coupled to a plurality of first bow spring segments and a second end collar coupled to a plurality of second bow spring segments, respectively, may be received onto the pipe segment on opposite sides of an installed stop collar. The plurality of first bow spring segments are coupled to the plurality of second bow spring segments, such as by welding, to form a bow spring centralizer with a plurality of bow springs extending between the first and second end collars, the bow spring centralizer movable along the pipe segment within a limited range defined by the separation of the first and second end collars. In one embodiment, the first centralizer portion and the second centralizer portion may be formed by cutting through the bow springs of a bow spring centralizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Frank's International, Inc.Inventor: Jean Buytaert
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Patent number: 7878241Abstract: A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Donald Elwin McDowell
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Patent number: 7874361Abstract: A method for cementing a tubular in a wellbore in a subterranean formation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises connecting a circulating tool to a slip and a top drive; gripping a first tubular with the slip above the surface of the wellbore; sealingly engaging the first tubular with a seal member; fluidly connecting a wiper plug to the circulating tool; connecting the first tubular to a second tubular; and lowering the second tubular into the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Mosing, Samuel P. Hawkins, III, David L. Sipos, Keith T. Lutgring, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr.
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Patent number: 7866390Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a top drive supported tool for making up and running casing strings into a borehole. The tool comprises a fill-up and circulation assembly and a launcher assembly that is adapted to cooperate with a connectable cement wiper plug assembly for launching wiper plugs that control cement placement in the annulus between a casing string and a borehole containing the casing string. The tool of the present invention shortens or eliminates delays in well operations, thereby improving integrity of cement liners formed by placing cement slurry in a targeted interval.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Burney J. Latiolais, Jr., Keith Thomas Lutgring, Samuel P. Hawkins, III
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Publication number: 20100326671Abstract: A stop collar is assembled using a method including the steps of receiving a bore of a base having a set of fingers extending along an exterior of a tubular, receiving a bore of a sleeve onto the tubular adjacent the set of fingers, and receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers in an interference-fit. In alternate embodiments, the base comprises a plurality of angularly distributed fingers and/or the base comprises a gap to permit conformance of the base to the tubular. A fingerless base may cooperate with one or more separate fingers to form a base. In an embodiment of the method, the sleeve may be thermally expanded prior to the step of receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers. The sleeve may be heated to expand the bore prior to being received onto the set of fingers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
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Patent number: 7845061Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer includes a center assembly having a plurality of bow springs and a pair of generally tubular moving collars secured one to each end of each bow spring, the center assembly formed intermediate a pair of generally tubular stop collars. Each moving collar/stop collar combination forms an interlocking and axially extendable collar. The centralizer is formed from a single tube. The tube is cut using a laser according to a cut pattern that creates interlocked stop collar/moving collar combinations that are rotatably locked but axially movable one relative to the other. Each of the interlocked stop collars and moving collars includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced heads, each head integrally formed on one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced extensions protruding from the stop collar or moving collar. The heads may have a variety of projected shapes, such as a rectangular, arrow or a teardrop shaped.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Jimmy Mack Young
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Publication number: 20100252274Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first and a second stop collars may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
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Publication number: 20100252279Abstract: An apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises at least two centralizers, each centralizer having a circumferential stand-off portion and a second circumferential portion defining 360 degrees, at least two bows extending between opposing collars within the stand-off circumferential portion; wherein the at least two centralizers are spaced axially apart and fixedly attached to the tubular with the respective circumferential stand-off portions angularly offset from one another to provide 360 degrees of standoff. According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, one or both of the collars of each centralizer may be rotationally stationary relative to the tubular and axially moveable relative to the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Frank's International, Inc.Inventors: Jean P. Buytaert, Eugene Miller, Ira Hining
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Publication number: 20100218956Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
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Publication number: 20100213706Abstract: A threadless tubular connector includes a first component having a first tubular axis defined therethrough and configured to engage a second component having a second tubular axis defined therethrough, and a retaining member configured to maintain an alignment of the first tubular axis with the second tubular axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: FRANK'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Jean P. Buytaert